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From January 26th to April 17th 2017, you have the chance to learn more about world-renowned Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) at Kunsten in Aalborg.

Photo: Göran Schildt

Kunsten, in collaboration with Vitra Design Museum and the Alvar Aalto Museum, is bringing the exhibition Alvar Aalto – Second Nature to Aalborg. This retrospective exhibition gives you the opportunity to take a closer look at Alvar Aalto’s life and work. It also offers new perspectives on his highly influential style and sources of inspiration. One major addition to the exhibition is the building itself, designed by Alvar Aalto and completed in 1972. Other famous buildings by Aalto include the Paimio Sanatorium (1928-33) , Villa Mairea (1939) and the Finlandia Concert Hall (1975).

Finlandia Concert Hall. Photo: Rune S.

Aalto drew inspiration from both art and nature to create architecture and design with an organic, natural feel. His attention to detail and personal interpretation of functionalist design made for an exciting career spanning from the early 1920s to the 1970s. Through the years, Aalto created more than 400 buildings and a great deal of furniture, glass and lamp designs. He also co-founded the gallery and furniture company Artek, which is still viewed as a major contributor to modern design.

Paimio Armchair. Photo: Jürgen Hans

The exhibition Alvar Aalto – Second Nature includes architectural models, furniture design, lamps and glassware. It also includes pieces by artists such as Alexander Calder and Jean Arp to showcase the important relationship between Aalto and the art of his time.

With the arrival of some short-lived but beautiful snow during the past few days, it feels more than fitting that Kenneth Greve and the Finnish National Ballet are soon coming to Copenhagen with Snedronningen, also known as the Snow Queen or Lumikuningatar. The ballet will be in town for four shows from the 27th to the 29th of January 2017 at the Royal Danish Ballet.

Photo: Mirka Kleemola

The family friendly ballet, based on H. C. Andersen’s fairytale from 1845, follows the adventures of Kai and Kerttu, two children in Helsinki at the turn of the 19th century. When a mirror bought by Kerttu’s grandmother in Lapland turns out to be the Snow Queen’s magic mirror, the two children find themselves on an adventure that will forever change them. The Snow Queen tries to get back her stolen mirror by sending an ugly troll and his goblins after it but they are in such a hurry that they manage to break it. Pieces of it scatter, one of which falls into the eye of sleeping Kai changing the way he sees the world. Because of this, Kai is kidnapped and forced to try to glue the pieces of the mirror back together. In order to find Kai, Kerttu embarks on a long journey, taking her to the most remote places on earth. Through the people she meets, she discovers that they all have one thing in common; their fear of the Snow Queen. Together they decide to free Kai, but they need help from all the children watching!

Snedronningen is a story about love, fortitude and compassion in a whirlwind of magic and bravery.

Dates and times:
27.1: 19:30
28.1: 15:00 & 19:30
29.1: 12:00

There are still a few tickets available for all four shows, but be quick! Tickets can be found here.